Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar said on Wednesday that water charges have not been increased for the last 10 years and there is no other option left except review. He also said that he has asked officials to investigate the issue.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, “Water charges in Bengaluru have not been increased for 10 years and we are incurring huge losses. We have started new projects, and no bank is coming forward to finance the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).'
“The fifth phase of the Cauvery project is going to be completed, and in 10 to 15 days, I will ensure completion of the BWSSB work in this regard. Seventy percent of the water bill is spent on electricity bill and labor charges. Every year we are incurring huge losses. Therefore, there is no option. I am working on possibilities and discussing how to stabilize the company (BWSSB),'' Shivakumar said.
“Even the financing committee, the World Bank and others are telling us that we are politicizing the issue and not even trying to bring it to a break-even level. He said, this is what various officials and international banking employees are saying.
“We have to expand the water distribution system. I have now allocated six TMC more water for Bengaluru. We have to do one more phase to provide water to Bengaluru. There is no option unless we show them that BWSSB is an independent company and works as an independent entity,” Shivakumar said.
When asked when the water charges would be increased, Shivakumar said, “I have asked my officials to investigate the issue. Ultimately, we will put it in the public domain and then we will take a decision.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, “Water charges in Bengaluru have not been increased for 10 years and we are incurring huge losses. We have started new projects, and no bank is coming forward to finance the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).'
“The fifth phase of the Cauvery project is going to be completed, and in 10 to 15 days, I will ensure completion of the BWSSB work in this regard. Seventy percent of the water bill is spent on electricity bill and labor charges. Every year we are incurring huge losses. Therefore, there is no option. I am working on possibilities and discussing how to stabilize the company (BWSSB),'' Shivakumar said.
“Even the financing committee, the World Bank and others are telling us that we are politicizing the issue and not even trying to bring it to a break-even level. He said, this is what various officials and international banking employees are saying.
“We have to expand the water distribution system. I have now allocated six TMC more water for Bengaluru. We have to do one more phase to provide water to Bengaluru. There is no option unless we show them that BWSSB is an independent company and works as an independent entity,” Shivakumar said.
When asked when the water charges would be increased, Shivakumar said, “I have asked my officials to investigate the issue. Ultimately, we will put it in the public domain and then we will take a decision.
